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Global Youth Leadership Summit

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The Future Begins with Us: Two Young Leaders from El Salvador Reflect on a Journey of Change

Gabriela Velásquez and Amy Ramírez, two youth leaders from El Salvador, signed up to help shape a summit. In the end it shaped them, too. Since 2023 when they were selected to be part of the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Council (GYLC), they grew not only as individuals, but as global advocates for inclusion.
2 Min Read

The Future Begins with Us: A Global Call to Action from the Special Olympics Youth Leadership Summit

At every Special Olympics World Games, something remarkable happens—a global gathering of young leaders, with and without intellectual disabilities, who come together not just to share their hopes and ideas, but to lead.
1 Min Read

Global Youth Leadership Summit Turin Recap

Youth Leaders reflect on their time together at the Global Youth Leadership Summit in Turin. Read full article

Friendship Turned Leadership: How Youth Leaders are Shaping an Inclusive Future

For Louis Kleemeyer and Tim Pietrowski from Germany, being part of the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Council has been nothing short of life-changing. Their story began three years ago, when both met at a start-up event.
1 Min Read

Global Youth Leadership Summit World Winter Games Turin 2025

The final day of the Global Youth Leadership Summit focused on sustaining long-term change.
1 Min Read

Leveling the Field: Ugandan Youth Leading Change Through Soccer and Basketball

Their shared love of soccer has brought them not only friendship but also a powerful mission: to unite children with and without intellectual disabilities through sports—and to fight bullying in their community.
1 Min Read

Youth Empowered, Leaders Inspired: Rockie Zhao

Rockie began playing Unified Sports with a friend. This small action eventually became a regular part of her life and eventually into a passion she pursued.
2 Min Read

Bridging Generations: Insights from the Special Olympics Global Virtual Youth and Educator Summit

Leading Across Generations session, part of the 2024 Special Olympics Global Virtual Youth and Educator Summit, left attendees both inspired and empowered.
2 Min Read

Activating Together: Youth Leaders' Journey to Inclusive Change

Youth Leaders with and without intellectual disabilities at the 2023 Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Summit in Berlin, Germany, united by a common goal of fostering inclusion and understanding, believed that actions spoke louder than words.
2 Min Read

Youth Leaders Answer the Call to Connect

Youth Leaders around the world share stories from our first-ever VIRTUAL Global Youth Leadership Summit.
1 Min Read